21 Secrets

I hope those of you following my blog received my newsletter. If you did not, be sure to sign up. I am hoping to do it at least twice a year, more if there is positive feedback. I have been missing my journaling time getting ready for Artwalk in a few short weeks, so I signed up for 21Secrets - an art journaling workshop to entice me to take some time out for play. The classes can be taken in any order, so I jumped in with Danielle Daniel and played with her prompts.

For some reason I picked up the grey paint, so it is a little somber. I wanted to try some color combinations I don't usually use.  I had fun with this background - what a mess!

This is the other page of the spread.

I decided not to put anything in the background so I could remember what I did. I plan on doing something completely different on the other side. We'll see how it goes....

"Problem Child" Painting

I have been painting like crazy getting ready for Artwalk in San Diego at the end of April. I read an article recently about taking one of your "problem child" paintings. The ones that were finished but not quite right. I had just such a painting in my studio, staring at me. It was done on a cradled board that my hubby made, a surface too good to gather dust, so I pulled it out and evaluated it. Here it is....

I painted this in 2005 and it was time for drastic measures. I liked the eyes and the fish. The background had some great collage elements that were lost with too much paint. So I lightly sanded all of the painting except the eyes and fish. There was no bringing back the collage, so I decided to add some paper to cover the nose and mouth and some around the neck. I wish I had taken photos, but was in kind of a frenzy to see how I could fix it. I added texture through some stencils with "Wood Icing" - a trick from fellow mixed media artist Mary Beth Shaw, then dripped white acrylic ink and let it dry. The next day I reshaped the face and dripped some more ink and here is the result....

I really love the way this came out. My other "problem children" better watch out!

What a Process!

It has been more than a month since I have posted. I have been in a sort of frenzy trying to get some new paintings completed, then all of a sudden I looked around the studio and have finished 4 fairly large paintings and several small ones. My process is one of discovery and requires some level of patience (which is not one of my stronger qualities!) I thought I would share the evolution of the painting I shared early in January...

This is the painting at the point of discovering a story....

A lot going on here, I was refining the figures and saw a "creature" in the right corner, but was stumped on a plan of attack...

When in doubt drip some more paint!

Working on the faces, still not sure if there is a creature or if it is a plant?

The creature on the right finally surfaced, but at this point I felt the painting needed to be simplified. I actually ended up paining over most of the background with grey paint..a moment of insanity or bravery, not sure which...

The final painting. I call it "I am". I noticed that in my last few big pieces I have been putting a little "soul" somewhere in the painting...this one has the little guy on the bottom left...

Getting Back in the Groove

I seem to be doing a lot of work in my journals. After the noise and activity of the holidays, I think this is a way for me to re-focus. 

My pages are all over the place and this is probably good for later painting inspiration. 

I am loving the many layered look and unexpected outcomes. The challenge now is to get back to the larger canvas. I have 2 paintings that I am working on that have "revealed" a direction for me to go...

This one is my favorite. I am going to try and take pics of my process on this piece from now on to see how it evolves.....

Happy New Year Rituals

I love working in books. I always end my year by reviewing my journals and sketchbooks and "claiming" my new ones. It is a ritual I have come to look forward to. There is nothing like starting anew, blank books waiting to be filled, a clean slate. I keep a journal that is just for recording my thoughts and life events. I am always rewarded on New Years eve, with reading what I have written. The record of how much I have experienced, family events and accomplishments, gives me pause. Once I read them they get tucked away and I am ready to start again. 

Some years I am better at recording than others, but I am never disappointed in the end. I also keep a sketchbook that travels with me everywhere and a "studio" book that stays put and houses my experiments with paint and other media, ideas for painting series and photos of works in progress. I claim my new books by decorating the fronts, making them mine. 

These books are separate from my "art journals" that serve as my playground and a place to warm up before I start on my bigger paintings. I work in these until they are filled or no longer calling me to add to them.

I have a lot planned already for 2013, so I have selected the word "BREATHE" to keep me grounded and focused. As I drink more water (a resolution) I will take a deep breath and start my forward motion, recording my steps in whatever book is near.

Day 26 - 29 Inspiration Days

I spent I wonderful time visiting my daughter and her husband in Portland. I was able to see the latest exhibit "The Body Beautiful in Anchient Greece" at the PAM.

My favorite piece

Saw this in the Contemporary Art wing....

 

Loved this...it is huge and very impactive!

Had tea and a cookie after the museum.

I bought an early buyer pass for the Palmer Wirfs Antique show. They let you in when the vendors are setting up. Total chaos but lots of buying as they are unpacking. I thought this guy was stuffed until he barked at me!

These guys really were stuffed....

As was this unfortunate bunny!

What antique show is completed without a Victorian viewing casket.

I bought a lot of fun inspirational stuff which I will share in my next post. All together a wonderful time and I am ready to get back to work in the studio.

Day 21 - 25 The business of Art

Well, the last few days I have not posted because I am busy with the "business of art." I have been framing, stringing wire, varnishing, working on the computer and getting reading for a class coming up. All these things are necessary to keep this ship afloat. It is an "art" in its own right. The next few days I will be using as inspiration trips for my art. I am going to the Portland Art Museum and the Palmer Wirfs Antique Show the largest antique show around. All of these things are part of being an artist. Take the time to absorb what is around you and let it influence what you create. Be Present!